Fourth to stephen c



(No Model.)

J. B. MITCHELL.

TOBAGGO GUTTER.

No. 434,194.- Patented Aug. 12, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JOHN B.V MITCHELL, OF PORTLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- 4 FOURTH TO STEPHEN C. PERRY, OF SAME PLACE.

TOBACCO-CUTTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 434,194, dated August 12, 1890.

Application filed March 24, 1390.`

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, JOHN B. MITCHELL, of

Portland, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Tobacco-Cutters; and I do hereby declare that the following-is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention is an article adapted to the use of smokers, and is designed specially for the cutting of plug-tobacco or tobacco ,in twist form, for the purpose of reducing it to such a condition as to allow of its being used in a pipe.

Prior to my invention it has been customary to cnt olf from the plug or twist small pieces of tobacco by the use of an ordinary i pocket-knife and then lto crumble the pieces so cut in the hands, placing the tobacco thus crumbled into the bowl of the pipe. This method is very objectionable for the reason that the hands are soiled by contact with the tobacco, the blade of the pocket-knife is not in a condition to be used for any other purpose, and a waste of tobacco very often ensues in View of the fact that if more tobacco is cut off than is found necessary to fill the pipe the remainder is wasted.

It is the object of my invention, first, to provide a simple form of cutter which shall be adapted Vto be carried conveniently in the pocket andto cut off th`e tobacco so as to render crumblingunnecessary, and, secondly, to provide in connection with the cutter a box adapted to receive the tobacco as it is out, and from which the pipe may be filled without necessitating a waste of any of the tobacco, that which remains being retained in Serial No. 345,127.4 (No model.)

in Fig. l, of a plate ot' metal, which may be of any desired shape, though I prefer to make,

it round, and thisplate is provided with a series of radiating slots or openings, the walls of these slots constituting cutting-edges. While I have shown in Fig. l these slots as radiating from the center, I desire to it be understood that I may provide openings of any desired shape and number, so long as the walls of the openings constitute cutters, which are adapted to act upon the tobacco and to reduce the same to a condition adapted for the use of smokers. These cutting walls or points may be in the same plane or they may be arranged alternately in different planes, being slightly out of line, so as to increase or diminish the amount of cut in operation. This action of the cutters may also be regulated whether the cutters be in the same or diiferent planes by the force employed by the user in pressing the tobacco against the cutting-points. Y

Instead of the cutting-plate being formed in one piece, as shown, I may strengthen itby providing it with a rim, as shown at a, Fig. 2, and securing this rim to one of the faces of the plate.

In another form, Fig. 3, I may provide a cast ring having ribs ct formed therewith of approximately V shape in'cross-section and tapering inwardly toward the center, and to this rim secure the cutting-plate, which may in this case be of lighter metal; and it will be seen that the cast projections will operate to sustain the cutting-points Without in any way interfering with them. In this case the cutting-plate may be made in one piece or inv sections, as may be preferred. Instead of the projections extending from the rim, I may strike the cutting-plate up with depressions upon one side, thus forming ribs d2, which extend longitudinally of the cutting-point and serve to give them strength.

In order to provide vfor the cutting of small IOO pieces of tobacco, which could not be used on the regular openings in the plate on account of the size of the central opening, I provide at the base 0f one or more of the cuttingpoints a series of cutting-edges, which will accommodate the smallest pieces ot tobacco, and thus prevent any cause for waste. These smaller openings l, the walls of which form the cutting-edges, may likewise be of any desired shape or number.

In order to carry the simple form of cutter conveniently, I provide the pocketpouch shown in Fig. Zat c, which protects the cutting-edges and prevents them from engaging with the fabric of t-he pocket. The pouch also serves as an advertising medium, as the outside space on the pouch enables the manufacturer 0r dealer to not only advertise his own goods, but also to add an explanation as to the operation and advantages of the cutter.

Instead of the simple form of pouch shown, I may provide a match-box, as shown in Fig. 5, with a pocket in rear thereof adapted to contain the cutter, and as in the case of the simple form of pouch the outside surfaces of the match-box and the inside surfaces provide ample space for advertising purposes.

In the simple form of cutter which I have heretofore described, the cutter is placed in one hand or the other and the tobacco is taken in the other hand and pressed against the center of the cutting-plate, being given a twisting motion, first in one direction and then in the other, and, as has been stated, the amount of tobacco of each cut may be regulated by the character of the cutting-edges or by the amount ot' pressure placed upon the tobacco by the hand of the operator in forcingitagainst the cuttingedges. I have found by experience that tobacco cut in this Way puts the tobacco in prime order for smoking without requiring it to be rolled or rubbed in the hand, and that it Will. light quicker and remain lighted much better than When cut with a knife and crumbled in the usual manner.

In order to prevent a waste of tobacco, I have provided a receptacle which I have shown in Fig. et, at (l, with a hinged top e, having a depending flange. I do not limit myself as to the form ofthe receptacle or its slze, and instead of the cover being hinged it may slide on or be secured in any suitable way. In the top of this cover, I arrange my cutting-plate, as shown at f. In case the material of the box will be sufficient forthe purpose as to strength and durability, I may arrange my cutting-points directly therein, but in case a box is used ot' cheap material I make my cutting-plate separate and secure it thereto. In order to close the openings in the cover and prevent the tobacco from falling out, I provide a supplemental cover e', which fits over the openings in the first cover, both covers being secured by a suitable fastening. The tobacco is reduced to a proper condition for smoking in the manner heretofore described, the supplemental cover being thrown back so that access may be gained to the cutter and then the pipe is filled from the eut tobacco, the excess not used at the time remaining in the box until desired.

It will be understood that the tobacco-box may contain, if desired, a matclrbox or a lighting device, or anything of the kind which may be of use to the smoker.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim is l. In combination with the cutting-plate, a rim and a series of projections formed with the rim and extending inwardly in contact with the surface of the plate for sustaining the cutting-points, substantially as described.

2. In combination, a receptacle, a cuttingplate hinged to said receptacle and constituting a cover therefor, said plate having openings to form cutters, and a cover for the openings hinged to the cutting-plate, substantially as described.

3. In combination with a cutter-plate having a series of openings or slots radiating from the center, the Wall of said slots forming cutting-edges, substantially as described.

4. In combination with a cutter-plate having a series of cutting-points, supplemental cutters formed by slotting the base of one or more ot' the points, whereby smaller pieces of tobacco may be reduced to the proper condi tion, substantially as described.

In `testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence ot' two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN B. MITCHELL. 'Witnessesz F. L. MIDDLETON, CHARLES F. SPEAR.

TOO 

